The most southerly part of Europe, Gavdos is worth a visit if only for curiosity value. The 40 inhabitants of the island live isolated, the villages are abondoned. The former population once exceeded 8,000. This was during the first Byzantine period, when the island even had an archbishop. During the Venetian rule the island was abandoned, as pirates sought refuge on Gavdos (Barbarosa used it as a hide away in 1539). Some Roman and some Byzantine traces can still be found in the north and the north west of the island.

Despite its tiny population Gavdos capitol Kastri has a post office, a doctor and even a policeman :).... I wonder what his job is: arrest a goat for speeding every now and than??? The island has quiet beaches at Korfos (at the mouth of a small fertile valley), at Sarakiniko (if you walk a bit farther you get a glimpse of Gavdopoula island), Agios Ioannis, Potamos, Lavraka and the southern headland Tripiti which present a beautiful composition of arcades diving into the sea. A few rooms are for rent in the harbour Karave, in Sarakiniko and in Kastri. On Korfos beach there is also a taverna renting out rooms.

There are not many sights on Gavdos, besides the nature. There are sand dunes with cedar trees, pine trees and shrubs (it looked a bit like the Dutch coastline to be honest...), steep rocks along the coastline, flowers on the beach, the occasional goat, birds.... What makes it so attractive is the air of wild abandon, and the fact that it's easy to walk around the island. But...the islanders are slowly but surely making an end to all this peace and quietnes, because there is building going on at several parts of the island (Karave, Sarakiniko). It's not going to last forever. In Sarakiniko there is now also a supermarket, and so who knows when the first giftshop will arrive...

The island of Gavdos is 45 kilometers south of Chora Sfakion and can be reached by a small ferry boat (with a very, very noisy engine) from Chora Sfakion, or from Paleochora. Bring earplugs :), haha!!
If you want to know the time table for the ferries from Paleochora, Sougia or chora Sfakion to the island of Gavdos (and back) you can check the website of Selino Travel (Tel.: + 30 28230 42272 email). Usually most of the ferry traffic from Chora Sfakion takes place around the weekends and from Paleochora during the weekdays, but this could of course change.

SOME MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISLAND OF GAVDOS IN GREECE

Gavdos is a Greek island about 36 miles south of Crete. It is situated on the southernmost tip of Europe. The island has 45 residents (July 2005), is 9 km long and 4.5 km wide. There is no fresh water and the inhabitants collect rainwater for use as drinking water. The highest point on Gavdos is 345 metres above sea level. There are only a few ferry connections with the island. There is a connection maintained with Paleochora on the southern coast of Crete to the end of October and from some other places only in the summer (Chora Sfakion, Sougia). The island belongs to the administrative region / department of Crete, and the capital of the island is called Kastri. Gavdos has a port (Karabe) and two other settlements, Ambelos and Vatsiana. The only post office can be found in Kastri. There are also card-telephones, a small medical center and the only agent of the island is also the captain of the boat between Paleochora and Gavdos.

THE HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF GAVDOS IN GREECE

Archaeological finds have shown that Gavdos was already inhabited 3000 years before Christ. The nymph Calypso from the Odyssey would have lived on Gavdos. The name of the island has been changed many times over the years. In ancient times the island was called Ogygya; subsequent names include Cavdos, Clavdos, Clauda and Clavdi. The Venetians called it Gotzo, probably after the Maltese island of Gozo. In the Byzantine period quite a lot of people lived on the island. In the Venetian period Gavdos was abandoned, after which Gavdos became a stronghold for the pirates.

THE LANDSCAPE OF THE ISLAND OF GAVDOS IN GREECE

The island is mainly covered with needle and cedertrees. Usually it is very hot and there is little rainfall on the island. Some beaches are Potamos (north), Agios Ioannis (northernmost point), Pyrgos (north), Sarakinikos (northeast) and Tripiti (south). There are some small streams on the island but these are usually dry in the summer.

Gavdos tries to get water out of the ground. In the summer, for example, Showering is not always possible. The island also has no own power and energy is served by generators, which are usually shut down at night.

THE BEACHES OF THE ISLAND OF GAVDOS IN GREECE

Potamos Beach - Gavdos -
Potamos is a beautiful beach in the north west part of the island of Gavdos. It is a sandy beach with yellow and nicely colored red sand. The beach of Potamos can be reached by boat or on foot. Potamos beach is surrounded by hills. This beach is reachable with a path from the end of the road at Ambelos (1.7 km, quite safe, about 50 mn).
There is a pannel at the beginning.
Agios Ioannis Beach - Gavdos - The beach of Agios Ioannis is situated in the north of the island of Gavdos, and it was voted as second most beautiful beach of the world by the Travel Channel in 2007. Agios Ioannis (St John's beach) is situated next to the tiny village with a population of ten, and it is home to several impressively large caves. There are no hotels or pensions or any luxury, only the sea, the sand and a beautiful view of the island of Crete. At the busstop of Agios Ioannis (end of the road) you will find the only tavern in this region of Gavdos: Kapetan
Theofilos.
Pyrgos Beach - Gavdos - The beach of Pyrgos is situated in the north of the island of Gavdos. It can be reached by small boat or by foot after a long and adventurous walk. Pyrgos beach is quiet and isolated and beach with no facilities. You must bring your own water and food.
Sarakinikos Beach - Gavdos - At a 20 minutes walk distance you will find the most "cultivated" beach of the island (with a taverna or two and a few accommodations that is). The sandy and pretty large beach of Sarakinikos is situated in the north east of the island at a 2km walk north of the harbour over a dirt track.
Beach - Gavdos - The beach of Tripiti is situated in the south of the island of Gavdos and it is famous for its beautiful rockformations. The rocks that are in the sea form arcades. The name of this southern point is Tripiti ("tripa"=hole) and there are three holes-caves (arches) under the rock that runs into the sea. From Korfos, you can walk until this wonderful place, there is no more land to explore at this south part of Gavdos... The footpath is about 3 km (about an hour), there are signs and you cannot lose your way. This is the most southern place in Europe.
Standing on a rock in Tripiti is a very large chair that you have to climb on in order to sit on it.

Korfos Beach - Gavdos - As you walk inland from the harbour Karave and arrive at the crossroads and a couple of houses don't turn right (to Sarakinikos beach) but turn left (there is a sign) to reach this beach. It's a beautiful walk along the coastline. At Korfos Bay there are some rooms and family rooms for rent at Georgos and Maria's Taverna.

THE NATURIST BEACHES OF THE ISLAND OF GAVDOS IN GREECE

The island of Gavdos is a paradise for naturists. Roughly estimated about 80% of the beaches is naturist area. The beach of Agios Ioannis is one of the naturist beaches. You can go there by bus. This bus stops at a taverna / minimarket and from there you should have to do a little walking towards the west (about a quarter of an hour). The beach is about 500 meters long and quite wide. On the beach are trees where you can lie down in the shade.
The beach of Lavrakas west of Agios Ioannis is a naturist beach. You can get there if you follow the coast from Agios Ioannis but on some parts of the walk you have to walk through the sea (don't do this in bed weather) walk or you can climb up the rocks behind Agios Ioannis beach and then follow the paths. The trip takes about 40 minutes from the beach of Agios Ioannis.
Lavrakas is not as good as Agios Ioannis. It is a flat beach with trees and in the sea are many rocks, so you have to look out for the best way you can get into the sea. It is a beautiful place to snorkel though.

ACCOMMODATION ON THE ISLAND OF GAVDOS IN GREECE - HOTELS, APARTMENTS AND STUDIOS ON GAVDOS

There are not many hotel rooms or apartments and studios for rent on the island of Gavdos: accommodation is limited. Especially if you plan to visit the island during high season it would be wise to reserve something ahead. Below are a few of the hotels / studios / apartments that are for rent on the island of Gavdos. The first one you can check the prices and the availabilty online and you can directly book if you want to. It is situated at a large sandy beach where we once spend the day in naturist style. The other three you first have to send an e-mail.

For all hotels, studios and holiday houses on the island of Gavdos - click here.

Hotels op het eiland Gavdos - Gavdos Princess

Remotely located in Gavdos Island, Gavdos Princess offers a restaurant and self-catering accommodation. Free WiFi access is available in public areas.
Opening to a terrace with Libyan Sea, mountain and garden views, all air-conditioned apartments at Gavdos Princess feature a kitchenette with cooking hobs and dining table. A seating area, a TV, and a bathroom with a shower come standard.
The closest beach, as well as restaurants and mini markets can be found at a distance of 3 km. Shuttle service can be arranged free of charge. Free private parking is possible on site.

Set in Gavdos in the Crete region, Gavdos Studios provides accommodation with free WiFi.
All units come with a terrace, a kitchenette with a fridge, and a private bathroom. A stovetop and kettle are also featured.
A continental breakfast is served each morning at the property.
The apartment offers a terrace.
A car rental service is available at this property.

You will find us in the center of the beautiful golden Sarakiniko beach.
Our place is perfect for families and people which are looking for a quite place.
We offer new and big sea view rooms and stone villas with bathroom, kitchen, balcony and garden.
You can order in our Family Restaurant breakfast and traditional Cretan cuisine especially our fresh fish.
We also rent bikes and quads

Rooms and family rooms at the beach of Korfos with a view of the sea.
You will feel absolute comfortable in our family-managed-tavern. Nice family atmosphere, traditional local Greek food, nature and the great outdoors are waiting you.
If you decide to visit Georgo's and Maria's fishing -Tavern let us know we will wait for you in Harbor Karave with our taxi-tractor.